Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday, 17 September flagged off the 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday, launching a cross-country motorcycle relay that will travel to Vadnagar in Gujarat — the Prime Minister's birthplace — as a tribute to his 25 years of public service.

What the Yatra Is and What It Symbolises

The 'Seva Sankalp Yatra' is being organised under the broader 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described it as more than a geographical journey between two cities — calling it a 'sacred spiritual and social journey' connecting Vadnagar, the Prime Minister's birthplace, with Kashi, his parliamentary constituency and 'karmabhoomi'.

As part of the ceremonial launch, waters from Varanasi and Vadnagar will be exchanged and used for the Jalabhishek of Hatkeshwar Mahadev in Vadnagar and Baba Vishwanath in Kashi. Rajnath Singh offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and distributed laddoos to the bikers undertaking the yatra.

What Rajnath Singh Said

Addressing the launch event, Rajnath Singh said Prime Minister Modi has given his life 'true meaning and significance through his extraordinary personality, able leadership and relentless dedication to service.'

'A great leader doesn't just build roads and bridges, but also makes people self-reliant and empowered! Under the leadership of PM Modi, today India's youth, women, and small business owners are laying the foundation of the country's bright future with their own strength,' he said.

He further remarked: 'Where others see problems, PM Modi seeks solutions and possibilities. Through his tireless efforts, from Kashi's meenakari to Muradabad's brasswork, India's centuries-old heritage and crafts are today reaching every corner of the world.'

Governance Milestones Cited

Rajnath Singh used the occasion to enumerate what he called the defining achievements of the Modi-led Union government: the end of Naxalism, the integration of Jammu and Kashmir into the mainstream following the abrogation of Article 370, lifting crores of citizens out of poverty, ensuring greater participation of women in Parliament, and the evacuation of Indians stranded in crisis zones including Syria, Afghanistan, and the Russia-Ukraine war zone.

He also highlighted welfare schemes including Mudra Yojana, Startup India, Skill India, and the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme, noting that more than three crore women have become 'Lakhpati Didis'. Rajnath Singh also recalled how then-Chief Minister Narendra Modi accelerated Gujarat's reconstruction following the devastating 2001 earthquake, and launched the 'Samaras Gram Yojana' — a scheme for the unanimous, consensus-based election of village heads to promote dispute-free rural development.

Leaders Present at the Launch

The launch event drew a cross-party gathering of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Chirag Paswan, Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Pankaj Chaudhary, UP Minister Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State Jagdish Patel, and Lok Sabha MP V.D. Sharma were among those present.

What Comes Next

The bikers are expected to traverse the route from Varanasi to Vadnagar, carrying the message of Prime Minister Modi's 25 years of dedicated service to communities along the way. The yatra's stated objective is to connect public sentiment, reach the grassroots through service activities, and build visible momentum around the anniversary of the Prime Minister's birthday.